My Carrera Banshee!

Dcdanr

Afternoon all.

I've been road riding for a little while now but bought this as an introduction into mountain biking. I'm not really fussed on long distance XC stuff as I can go out and crunch the miles on the roadie so this is for more jumping down hills on my head

I bought the bike second hand off ebay after spending a few weeks watching loads of different hardtails and full sus bikes. I was pretty much set on a boardman fs but I made the owner an offer as they were local and got it for what I consider a reasonable price. (Half that of what the cheapest boardmans were going for!) It's paintwork isn't the best but as far as I can tell the actual bike has no real issues.







Frame: Carrera Banshee (2008 or so I reckon?)
Forks: Suntour Epicon
Bars: Standard
Stem: Standard
Headset: Standard
Grips: Standard
Bar Ends: Nope

Front Brake Lever assy: Tektro Auriga Comp
Front Caliper: Tektro Auriga Comp
Front disc: Tektro of some size
Rear Brake Lever assy: Tektro Auriga Comp
Rear Caliper: Tektro Auriga comp
Rear Disc: Tektro of some size
Hoses: Standard I'm guessing... needs replacing.


Shifters: Sram X5
Cables: ?!?!?
Front Mech: Sram X5
Rear Mech: Sram X5
Chain Device: ?

Seat: Apollo pain giver. Will be replaced asap.
Seat Post: Standard, again will replace.
Seat Post Clamp: Standard... as above.

Cranks: Sram of some kind
Chainring(s): No idea
Chain:One with links!
Cassette: No idea
Pedals: DMR V8 (Red... well... most is red.)
Bottom Bracket: No idea

Front Wheel: Wpp?
Rim:
Spokes:
Hub:
Tube:
Tire: Michelin dh24 26x2.5

Back Wheel: Wpp?
Rim:
Spokes:
Hub:
Tube:
Tire:

Weight: Similar to a vw golf

So I've been speaking to a chap in my LBS and we discussed what, if anything to do to it. He suggested upgrading as things break with decent components as if I decide next year that I'm enjoying MB'ing enough to upgrade I should be able to use those parts on the new bike if they're higher spec?

I'll definitely be replacing the gear mech's as they seem to be made of chocolate and sometimes skip about whilst I'm riding!

Anyway, that's my bike

bwfc4eva868

Nice bike. Are they really that heavy? I fancied chopping in my Vulcan for one as i love my descents. Never a fan of going up hill regardless of the bike.

Dcdanr

It's definitely not light. I don't really find it massively hard to climb but that may be down to the road cycling I do.

drtobiasfunke

How does the rear suspension feel on it?

Greer_

Nothing wrong with SRAM X5. Try replacing the cables and reindex the gears. You can find info on how to do it on parktools.

Dcdanr

I haven't got anything to compare it to but it's comfortable.

Heard the x5 is pretty weak and with the issues I've had I thought it'd be best to upgrade to a saint or something?

Greer_

Its the equivalent of shimano deore. Just needs to be set up properly as long as the rear mech cage/hanger isn't bent. Saint is made for downhillers, a bit overkill for your bike, either SRAM X9 or Shimano SLX/XT would be a better upgrade, but even then, a well set up X5 mech will perform better than a poorly set up X9 mech.

Dcdanr

Will have to look into prices. If there's not a massive difference and the x9 will be tougher then the decision is made for me

Thanks for the advice though. Need to drop it into the lbs for a service etc

Nelson56

Really nice bike my friend has the same bike but with diffrent paint

Dcdanr

What colour scheme has he got? Due to the few marks on my frame tempted to have a go at refurbing it in something different!

bwfc4eva868

Dcdanr wrote:

It's definitely not light. I don't really find it massively hard to climb but that may be down to the road cycling I do.

Cheers for the info as im really interested in getting one. Ive road a full suss Apollo special up steep hills and didnt die so it should be easier.

Dcdanr

Noticed that the brakes weren't working very well and the rear mech wouldn't change so took the bike into the lbs today for a service. Needs a few bits and got some new tyres whilst I was there as well. Pick it back up tomorrow at 12 so going to head straight to swinley to see how it feels. The chap in the shop did see an issue with the rear shock so they're sorting that as well

Dcdanr

So there's an issue with the rear shock. They're going to have a look this week as the guy with the most experience was off today.

Treated the bike to some new grips and a new saddle!





Grips are much stickier and stay in place and the saddle seems Comfy and a load lighter than the old thing on there!

Matt-r8

It certainly looks like a lighter saddle, is it really comfier? The old one looks like an arm chair
Hgreat first bike, and when you upgrade to something lighter, you'll be super fast. Just leave the Lycra for road riding!!!

Dcdanr

Haha. The old one was a beast but the new one is light and is similar to my road one do my behind is used to it.

Shock was sorted today so I'll be hooning around the ranges this evening